Today’s Truth
“He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful” (John 15:2, NIV).
Friend to Friend
On a family visit to the beach, our room had a balcony that overlooked the swimming pool. I sat on the balcony one morning and watched as a maintenance man for the resort approached a palm tree and pulled a brown, life-less branch from under the green leaves. Oddly, before he pulled the dead branch, I hadn’t even noticed it was there. After he pulled it, however, I noticed that the palm tree looked fresh and vibrant. Healthy. The pruning made such a difference!
Jesus spoke to His disciples and said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” John 15:1-8, NIV
The maintenance man at the resort didn’t pull the branch off to hurt the palm tree. He pruned it to increase its beauty, health and vibrancy. God does the same for us. He prunes His children to increase our beauty, health and vibrancy for our good and for His glory – to make us more useful to Him and more fruitful.
Are there any dead branches hanging on the tree of you?
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, thank You for Your perfect love that longs for me to be fruitful and beautiful in You. Please remove any life-less branches in my life. As the psalmist prayed: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24, NIV).
In Jesus Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Consider this: how fruitful is your life?
Read John 15:1-17 and spend some time reflecting on God’s plan for you to become more fruitful.
Click over to my Facebook page and tell me how today’s devotion spoke to your heart. What lessons are you learning? I’d love to hear about it. Visit me at www.facebook.com/GwenSmithMusic.
More from the Girlfriends
It seems kind of weird that we should want to go through the pain of pruning, doesn’t it? It reminds me a bit of the old workout saying, “No pain, no gain.” When you allow the Lord to expose dead branches in your life and to strip them away, a simple, radiant beauty remains. You become a more vibrant reflection of Him and become better equipped to bear fruit. Trust Him, friend…no matter what or whom He may call you to give up.
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This devotional is exactly what I needed on this morning. God has been so gracious by instilling in me a specific time to pray for myself, family, community, church, city, and nation daily. I find that when I consecrate my early morning that my day is extremely fruitful in every area of my life. It is important that we make an effort to “Seek ye first, the Kingdom of heaven, and its righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you”. God’s Word promises that whatever we need for the day he already knows but we must still seek him first. Be Blessed,
That’s the good stuff, friend. Love it. Keep seeking Him!
Gwen, I believe the Lord is everything he says he is, and I believe he died for me on the cross, but when I look at myself sometimes I wonder why. How do I get rid of my fears and trust the Lord with my future?
Hi Gladys, Thanks for sharing your heart and struggles. There is no simple answer to this and no “easy button” for life and faith – but I sincerely believe that trusting God is a choice we make day by day, moment by moment. The Bible says that, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7) When fear creeps into your mind kick it to the curb with Scripture! That’s what Jesus did when He was tempted by Satan. His responses all began with, “It is written…”
Hope that helps!
God is amazing each day! Thank you for sharing what God puts on your heart. I enjoy GIG every Saturday morning and am thankful for your faithfulness in sharing God’s faithfulness and love. I am encouraged by the 3.1.13 devotion, to keep God first and not let other distractions get in the way. I lead morning prayer on my job, and new responsibilities have pushed that entirely off the day. Its back on the schedule! Thanks to God and to GIG!
The challenge is to identify the areas of our lives that need to be more fruitful or dedicated more to Christ’s will. I am praying for my growth-areas to be revealed to me and for the faith to follow God’s pruning.
Thanks for the comment, Tracy. A willing heart is where it all begins!
Love doing life with you.
Blessings,
Gwen